In today’s fast-paced world, with families increasingly becoming nuclear or single parent households, balancing personal and professional needs has become a challenge. Additionally, the millennials give a lot of importance to work-life balance and are not up for working long hours with no time to do other things important to them. Work-life balance, although not a new concept, has become one of the key motivators for both existing as well as prospective employees.
Organizations are increasingly being forced to take note of these changing attitudes and are gradually becoming aware of their part in ensuring the well – being of their employees (both professional and personal).
A healthy work-life balance is not about working less but about working smarter so as to increase company productivity without employee burn out. In many cases, well-defined employee-friendly work policies are preferred over salary as a key consideration for taking up a job. Therefore, many companies, including companies in the UAE, are drafting policies to ensure that their employees have the right work-life balance.
Is your employer as committed to your wellbeing as you are to the job? Read on to find out.
Signs your company cares about you
• Flexible timings: Working hard is not only about the hours you spend at the office but ensuring work is done, no matter where you work from. Often organizations give options of half days or work from home to help employees manage their personal lives better. Such options not only help employees take care or work but of pressing matters at home, like baby-sitting or looking after elderly parents. This results in a happy and a loyal workforce.
• Encouraging vacations: Sometimes taking a break is like a breath of fresh air for a tired mind. Working all the time without a break can lead to tired ideas, burnout and declining productivity. That is why some companies encourage employees to take vacations instead of carrying over leaves.
• Benefits and perks: another way in which companies help employees balance their work-life is in the form of non-tangible benefits the company provides to its employees. Some common perks given by companies include:
o Paid time off (PTO): PTO refers to the paid time off that employees can take without the need for specifics of the leave. Whether it is a sick leave, a parent-teacher meeting or a simple outing, employees can use this time without owing an explanation to the company.
o Physical Wellbeing: In-house yoga classes, adventure weekends, meetings on the go or in golf clubs are some ways in which the companies encourage their employees to remain healthy and manage their stress-levels.
o Dependent care: With child-care facilities within the office premises, employees, especially mothers of young children can rejoin their jobs earlier. Also, with such a set-up, parents can work without worrying about kids back home. This, in turn, works as a strong motivator for employees to stick with the company.
• Restricting work hours: Limiting overtime, giving employees privacy and avoiding calls during odd hours of the day, vacations, or weekends, help employees make the most of their personal time.
So, if your organization has one or more of such policies in place, you are a lucky employee, but if not, find the ideal fit for you here.
